Cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae. L.) 'performance' on oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) experiencing water deficits: roles of temperature and food quality
1996
Burgess, A.J. | Warrington, S. | Allen-Williams, L.
It has been suggested that plants experiencing water deficits offer a higher quality source of nutrition to feeding insects. This hypothesis was investigated by assessing the performance of the cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae), an important pest on Crucifers, on the crop plant oilseed rape (Brassica napus). Aphid growth and reproduction was measured at three controlled air temperatures and four watering regimes to induce water deficits. Plant nutritional quality (soluble nitrogen) and microclimate (leaf temperature), both important for aphid growth and reproduction, were determined. With increasing water deficit both soluble nitrogen content (% dry weight) and leaf temperature (degree C) increased. At all three temperatures development time of the aphid to reproductive age was faster with increasing plant water deficits. Mean relative growth rates and the intrinsic rate of natural increase significantly increased with increasing water deficit at 15 degrees C and 20 degrees C, and 15 degrees , 20 degrees and 25 degrees C respectively. Air temperature, leaf temperature, and soluble nitrogen are important factors on aphid growth and reproduction. The results indicate that during periods of water deficit of oilseed rape plants, aspects of the growth and reproduction of B. brassicae are increased which may result in a faster rate of increase of aphid populations on this crop.
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